Interpretation of certain Northern Ireland references to EU regulations etc.
This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum
6.—(1) In section 11 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (references in enactments), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to a reference in an enactment to retained direct EU legislation which is not subordinate legislation for the purposes of the Interpretation Act 1978.
(1B) Subsection (1C) applies to a reference in an enactment which is, by virtue of regulation 2(2) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Consequential Modifications and Repeals and Revocations) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, to be read as a reference to what has been referred to as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019.
(1C) As well as being so read, the reference shall be construed as a reference to what has been referred to as for the time being amended by statutory provision coming into operation on or after exit day.
(1D) Subsection (1E) applies where—
(a)an enactment passed or made on or after exit day refers to any EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement, and
(b)that EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement forms part of domestic law by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
(1E) The reference shall be construed as a reference to the EU regulation, EU decision, EU tertiary legislation or provision of the EEA agreement as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and as for the time being amended by statutory provision coming into operation on or after exit day.
(1F) In subsections (1B) to (1E), “EU regulation”, “EU decision”, “EU tertiary legislation” and “domestic law” have the same meaning as in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (see section 20(1) of that Act).”
(2) In section 12(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (amending provisions), for “sub-section (1)” substitute “subsections (1) and (1B) to (1E)”.